5 end-of-year tax-saving moves – PLUS 9 tips for a safe and Happy Halloween

Take these actions before year-end and you could save money on your income taxes. (Remember: As with all tax matters, consult your tax professional first.) 1. Make charitable contributions. Contributions you make to charities before year-end can be deducted for 2014. Donations charged to a credit card by Dec. 31 are deductible even if you don't pay the bill until 2015. Gift checks need to be mailed in December. 2. Contribute to retirement accounts. You need to contribute to a 401(k) or similar retirement plan by Dec. 31. But you have until April 15, 2015, to set up a new IRA or add money to an existing one. 3. Contribute to a flexible spending account (FSA). The money you put into an employer-sponsored FSA can be used for qualified health or dependent care expenses and reduces your taxable income. 4. Defer income. Shift income into 2015 and you won't have to pay taxes on it this year. Ask your employer to pay out any year-end bonus in January instead of December; delay selling investments with taxable gains until next year; don't take distributions from an IRA or other retirement account until the beginning of the year. If self-employed, ask clients to pay you after the first of the year. 5. Accelerate deductions. Bring as many deductible expenses into this year as possible. Pay medical bills, property tax, and college tuition, if applicable. If you make estimated state tax payments, send in your last one in December instead of January. Sell investments that have lost value, so you can deduct the losses on this year's return. If self-employed, purchase needed business equipment before year end. Please note that if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in 2015, you might want to accelerate income into this year and defer deductions until next year. As with all tax matters, consult your tax professional first. 9 WAYS TO HAVE A REALLY HAPPY HALLOWEEN 1. Watch where you walk. Use sidewalks, driveways, and paths. Cross the street at the corner or on a crosswalk. 2. Carry a cell phone, if possible. 3. Make sure kids are visible. Put a light or reflective tape on their costumes and have them carry a glow stick or flashlight. 4. Feed kids first. To keep kids from hitting the candy before they get home, give them a snack or dinner beforehand. 5. Don't lose the dog. If you bring along the family pet, use a leash and collar with ID. 6. Drive extra carefully. If you drive, stay super alert and go extra slow through neighborhoods. 7. Have ground rules. If your child is old enough to go trick-or-treating without you, agree on the route and make sure it only goes through familiar neighborhoods. 8. Go over stranger dangers. Remind kids they must never get into a stranger's car. Tell them to scream loudly and run if someone stops and asks for help or offers them candy. 9. Don't forget to have fun. Hey, it's Halloween–how great is that! When you're ready to upgrade, downsize, or buy your first home, we can help with the financing. We can also answer questions about refinancing your current home, or funding home improvements. Please call or email us any time about today's opportunities. We're always here for you.... Have a great month! P.S.: Mortgage rates are still at historically attractive levels. When buying or refinancing, it's smart to start the process early. Please call or email us to explore the appealing options available now.

14 summers-end party prep tips – PLUS 5 steps to a super-efficient home office

Summer parties are always special. Here are some tips to help you plan your party so you can relax and enjoy it! 1. Take inventory. Before you invite everyone, see what party supplies you need and get them now. 2. Timing is everything. Summer weekends can fill up quickly. Think about throwing your party Friday after work or Sunday at brunch time. 3. Make it potluck. Ask guests to bring beverages or food that needs little preparation. That leaves you free to put together one or two fancier menu items. 4. Start cleaning when you invite. Do a little each day and you'll get it all done without stress. 5. Plan whenever you can. Put your playlist together over lunch. Do the menu while you commute. Make dishes ahead in the week preceding. 6. Practice. Pick a few menu items and special beverages. Then practice making them, so you can quickly whip them up at the party. 7. Consider comfort. Have sunscreen and bug spray on hand, S'mores supplies and blankets if people stay into the cool summer evening. 8. Do a grill check. Make sure you have propane and a clean cooking surface and that everything works properly. 9. Offload the fridge. Party food takes up lots of fridge space, so where do you chill the beverages? Fill up coolers or tubs with ice, and put in the cans and bottles. When the ice melts, the water can be recycled by watering outdoor plants or emptied onto the lawn. 10. Be ready with nibbles. Offer a couple of simple appetizers for guests to enjoy right away. Keep it simple–chips and salsa, raw veggies and dip. 11. Have backup. If you underestimate your food or get some last minute guests, know your backup options. Check that a takeout place will be open and if they'll deliver. 12. Simplify cleanup. Copy the caterers. Take an out of the way area such as the garage and set up barrels for trash and recycles. If you use dishes and flatware, put out a few buckets with soapy water. Let everything soak overnight, then finish cleaning the next day. 13. Build up a stash of party supplies. Buy one upgrade a year, such as cloth napkins that cut paper waste and don't come apart on sticky fingers. 14. Hunt for bargains. Keep an eye out at discounters for party platters, cake stands, candles, and serving bowls. HOW TO CREATE A SUPER-EFFICIENT HOME OFFICE Whether you have a home office for your job, for household bills, or both, here's how to set it up to get more done in less time. 1. Ditch the junk. We're talking about equipment you don't use, files you don't look at, records you don't need, and paper clutter in general. These all slow you down when you're looking for things. If you haven't opened a file or used something in a couple of years, recycle or trash it. 2. Replace single-purpose items with a multipurpose device. Get a printer, copier, and scanner in one machine. Replace old backup drives with a new high capacity, high speed drive. 3. Fine tune the layout. Arrange desk, shelves, and storage units so that everything can be accessed quickly and easily. Keep technology within arm's reach. 4. Organize storage. Use boxes, bins, or drawers for different items–one box for computer stuff, one for small office supplies. Keep often-used items by your desk, and put away the rest. 5. Repeat annually. Once a year, or sooner, go through steps 1–4 all over again. When you're ready for a new home office in a new home, we can help with the financing. As soon as you'd like to take advantage of today's opportunities to upgrade, downsize, or buy your first home, we're happy to answer any questions. We can also help with refinancing your current home or funding home improvements. Please call or email us any time. We're always here for you... Have a great day! P.S.: Mortgage rates are still at historically attractive levels. When buying or refinancing, it's smart to start the process early. Please call or email us to explore the appealing options available now.

Weekly Newsletter

In This Issue... Last Week in Review: Key housing and labor market news was released, but events from overseas dominated the headlines. Forecast for the Week: Look for important news on inflation, manufacturing, and consumer attitudes and spending—all in the second half of the week. View: Recharge your job satisfaction with these four easy tips. Last Week in Review "It's a small world after all." The economic calendar may have been fairly quiet, but plenty of headlines from overseas led to a volatile week in the markets. Here are the takeaways. Starting at home, research firm CoreLogic reported that home prices, including distressed sales, rose by 7.5 percent on an annualized basis in June. This is down from the 8.3 percent increase recorded in May. Price gains have been easing after the big increases that were recorded in 2013, due to modestly rising inventory and less than expected demand. CoreLogic is forecasting a 5.7 percent increase from June 2014 to June 2015, which is further evidence of a slowdown in gains. Also of note, Weekly Initial Jobless Claims fell by 14,000 in the latest week to 289,000. Claims are now at eight-year lows as the labor market continues to improve. In addition, the four-week moving average of claims reached the lowest level since February 2006. This news is significant, as jobless claims are a leading indicator of the health of the labor market—and improvement in the labor sector is a key tenet of our continued recovery. Ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the fighting in Gaza, U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, and more debt woes in Europe are some of the biggest headlines from the past week. When there is uncertainty like this in the world, we often see "safe haven" trading in the markets. This is where investors move their money out of Stocks and into less risky assets like Bonds—including Mortgage Bonds, the type of Bond on which home loan rates are based. Stocks have gotten clobbered recently but our Bond markets have benefitted—and as Mortgage Bonds improve, so do home loan rates. The bottom line is that home loan rates remain near some of their best levels of the year and now is a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients. Forecast for the Week The second half of the week heats up with several important reports. On Wednesday, we'll learn key details about consumer spending habits with Retail Sales for July. Weekly Initial Jobless Claims will be released, as usual, on Thursday. Last week's number hit lows not seen since before the recession. Friday's packed calendar includes July's Producer Price Index, which measures inflation at the wholesale level. Also look for the Empire State Manufacturing Index and Consumer Sentiment Index for August. Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result. The chart below shows Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), which are the type of Bond on which home loan rates are based. When you see these Bond prices moving higher, it means home loan rates are improving—and when they are moving lower, home loan rates are getting worse. To go one step further—a red "candle" means that MBS worsened during the day, while a green "candle" means MBS improved during the day. Depending on how dramatic the changes were on any given day, this can cause rate changes throughout the day, as well as on the rate sheets we start with each morning. As you can see in the chart below, geopolitical headlines have helped Mortgage Bonds improve. Home loan rates remain near some of the best levels of the year and I will continue to monitor them closely. Chart: Fannie Mae 4.0% Mortgage Bond (Friday Aug 08, 2014) The Mortgage Market Guide View... 4 Tips to Recharge Your Job Satisfaction With the amount of time people spend working, job satisfaction is an important part of life. If you ever find yourself in a rut, here are four tips that can help. Keep your eyes on the prize. Measurable goals (like number of homes built or percent increase in revenue) are key to business success. Equally important is translating how goals represent something invaluable (like dreams realized and happy families). Tie measurable goals to the bigger picture and focus on that vision to inspire you. Set boundaries and expectations. Technology expanded the workday with anytime, anywhere access to email and calls. Clearly, the lines between professional and personal time have blurred—and both sides can suffer from lack of focused attention. So what's the solution? Set specific, appropriate work hours. In email and voicemail messages, let others know your work hours and a realistic timeline of how quickly you'll respond. Condition yourself to not constantly check emails and voicemails when you are off work—or, at the very least, commit to a schedule (e.g., after the kids are in bed or after your favorite TV show). Schedule a Power Hour. An uninterrupted hour each week will recharge you. Use a Friday Power Hour to organize and prioritize for the next week. Use a midweek Power Hour to catch up on industry reading or write handwritten notes to clients. Create new challenges. Join an organization to meet new people and gain a fresh perspective. Present a seminar with community education or at a local club to share your expertise. Start a blog and commit to at least one 250-word weekly post. These four tips can reignite your passion for what you do. As always, please feel free to pass them along to your team, colleagues and clients! Sources: ehow.com, entrepreneur.com, forbes.com, humanresources.com, inc.com, mayoclinic.org Economic Calendar for the Week of August 11 - August 15 Date ET Economic Report For Estimate Actual Prior Impact Wed. August 13 08:30 Retail Sales Jul NA 0.2% HIGH Wed. August 13 08:30 Retail Sales ex-auto Jul NA 0.4% HIGH Thu. August 14 01:00 Jobless Claims (Initial) 8/09 NA 289K Moderate Fri. August 15 01:00 Producer Price Index (PPI) Jul NA 0.4% Moderate Fri. August 15 01:00 Core Producer Price Index (PPI) Jul NA 0.2% Moderate Fri. August 15 08:30 Empire State Index Aug NA 25.6 HIGH Fri. August 15 10:00 Consumer Sentiment Index (UoM) Aug NA 81.8 Moderate The material contained in this newsletter is provided by a third party to real estate, financial services and other professionals only for their use and the use of their clients. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, we do not make any representations as to its accuracy or completeness and as a result, there is no guarantee it is without errors. As your mortgage professional, I am sending you the MMG WEEKLY because I am committed to keeping you updated on the economic events that impact interest rates and how they may affect you.

Market Update

QUOTE OF THE WEEK... "The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit."--Moliere, French playwright and actor INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE... If the great French dramatist were alive today, he probably wouldn't be concerned by signs of slower growth in the housing market. Perhaps we shouldn't be either. Pending Home Sales dipped a miniscule 1.1% in June, but climbed for three straight months before that. This National Association of Realtors (NAR) index of contracts signed on existing homes was also above the 100 "average" level of contract activity for the second month in a row. The NAR's chief economist said he expects existing home sales to edge up in the second half of the year. That economist also observed, "The good news is that price appreciation has decreased to its slowest pace since March 2012 behind much-needed increases in inventory." He added, "With rents rising 4% annually, potential buyers are less likely to experience sticker shock." Corroborating that, the S&P/Case Shiller 20-City Composite index showed prices up 9.3% year over year in May, down from April's 10.8% year over year gain. Analysts say the expanding inventory that's slowing these price gains is a favorable trend, as it maintains affordability while increasing options for buyers. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK... In business, preparation is more critical than planning. When the unexpected happens, plans go out the window. But if you're well-prepared, you can adapt with composure, and not panic. >> Review of Last Week NOBODY'S LAUGHING... Funny week on Wall Street. Funny strange, not funny ha-ha. The Dow suffered its biggest weekly loss since January and the S&P 500 registered its worst weekly drop in over two years, while the Nasdaq dipped more than 2%. The strange part was that all this selling happened amidst a flurry of decent economic data. The Q2 GDP–Advanced reading had the economy growing at a 4% annual clip, after its Q1 –2.1% decline. Plus, Consumer Confidence hit its highest level since October 2007 and ISM Manufacturing solidly beat estimates. But the economic good news was bad news for investors who fear it may cause the Fed to raise rates sooner. That too was a strange reaction, given the Fed's statement Wednesday that they expect to keep rates low a good while longer. But there were disappointments. Pending Home Sales, the Chicago PMI manufacturing read, and Michigan Consumer Sentiment all fell short of expectations. The July Employment Report also missed, with 209,000 new nonfarm payrolls, although this was the sixth month in a row the number was above 200,000, describing a sustained if not especially strong recovery. The Unemployment Rate ticked up to 6.2%, yet that happened because the labor force grew, a good thing, showing more people are now hopeful they'll find a job. The week ended with the Dow down 2.8%, to 16493; the S&P 500 down 2.7%, at 1925; and the Nasdaq down 2.2%, to 4353. It was a mixed week in the bond market as global concerns brought in "safe haven" investors but inflation worries sparked some selling. The 30YR FNMA 4.0% bond we watch finished the week down .03, at $105.15. For the week ending July 31, Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported national average mortgage rates little changed from the week before. They remain near their lows for 2014. Remember, mortgage rates can be extremely volatile, so check with your mortgage professional for up to the minute information. DID YOU KNOW?... Unit Labor Costs, coming this week, is defined as the ratio of hourly compensation to labor productivity; increases in compensation increase Unit Labor Costs and increases in productivity reduce them. >> This Week’s Forecast SERVICES SECTOR EXPANDS, PRODUCTIVITY UP, LABOR COSTS EASE... After last week's tsunami of economic data, we now get a trickle of reports. Tuesday's ISM Services are expected to continue to show expansion in the sector of the economy that provides over 80% of our jobs. Unfortunately, the trade deficit is also forecast to expand in the June Trade Balance report. Productivity is predicted up for Q2, causing a smaller gain in Unit Labor Costs. This could keep inflation in check going forward.

10 Ways to Grab Customers Online

The days are over when marketers can rely on grabbing customers online with well-worn phrases like "act now," "satisfaction guaranteed," and "for a limited time only." People have seen those words so often, they're invisible. Instead, try these 10 fresh ways to pull customers into your blogs, social media posts, emails, and website. 1. Stop selling. People today don't want to be hustled or sold. They want to be informed. The more you inform them, the more often they'll visit your platforms, and the sooner they'll buy. 2. Educate them. Come up with information your readers don't have. As a professional, you already know more about your field than the average person. Offer advice, product and service reviews, industry news, and primers for newbies. 3. Enrich them. Create funny, cute, inspiring, or even critical posts that add value for the reader and might be shared over social media. Focus on creating an emotional attachment and you'll get some attention. 4. Engage them. Go beyond what you sell and what customers need to buy and key on some things you may have in common with your prospects and clients. Stay away from sensitive subjects like politics and religion and go for music, sports, entertainment, cultural topics, and events going on in your area. 5. Don't be self-centered. Post about other people and businesses. Experts say you should post about others seven times for every one time you post about yourself. Draw from news, events and the word on the street, anything that shows you're not just into selling yourself. 6. Be consistent. For example, post serious content on Monday morning, humorous items on Thursday. Then stick to the schedule, so people looking for a particular type of content will check in, comment, and share. 7. Read relevant blogs. See what others in your field are posting and then add your comments. Talking about related material from others is a great way to get people to look into what you have to offer online. 8. Write in three lengths. Start with a 500 to 700 word post for your blog, shorten it to 200 words for social sites with a link to the blog, then do a Twitter version you can also use on LinkedIn. 9. Use a content calendar. This is a great way to create and keep up with your strategy of posting to your customers and prospects. Look online for examples you can follow. 10. Be funny when you can. Everyone enjoys a good laugh now and again. Naturally, make sure you don’t offend anyone! Communicating with customers and prospects on a range of online platforms is key to marketing today. Just think of all the things your target audience might like to hear. Here's to your continued success creating online communications that engage people, and may even go viral, as you keep putting together your best year ever... Enjoy a great month!

The 6 Keys to Creating Great Online Videos

Online video has been popular as a marketing tool for some time now and for good reason. No other form of communication is better at capturing attention. Video also can have strong impact on people's purchasing behavior. The good news is you don't have to be a major brand with a huge ad budget to take advantage of the power of video marketing. All you need is a little creativity and the following tips to help you get started. 1. Don't make a TV ad. Online videos aren't TV commercials trying to get across a single proposition in 30 seconds. People opt in to watching online videos. They have to click the play button and often seek them out. So they give videos more time, about 90 seconds. This means you can tell bigger stories, but you need to be informative, useful, and even entertaining. 2. Use the equipment you already have. All you need to produce a great online video is your smartphone. You're not shooting a commercial that will run on HD TV. Videos shot on smartphones and tablets look surprisingly good on the low-resolution Internet. Plus, these days over half of all Web browsing is done on mobile devices and those smaller screens don't require Hollywood productions. 3. Don't let the medium get in the way of the message. No matter what technology you're using to communicate, it's the message that matters most. Spend time coming up with compelling, relevant topics to share with your viewers. But make sure what you're saying reflects the image you're trying to convey about your company and the way you do business. 4. Make use of low-cost and free video tools. There are many tools and apps available to help you produce videos with all kinds of cool features. Check out VideoScribe for sketch-style videos and PowToon, which is free, for impressive animated videos and presentations. YouTube offers a free built-in editor, but there are third-party tools available for that as well. Two popular examples are Loopster and WeVideo, which is free to start. 5. Customers can create great content. Some of the most engaging online videos you see come from customers. Instead of figuring out how to promote your products or services, let your customers do it for you. Invite them to send in videos about the benefits they get working with you. User generated content feels more natural and honest. To encourage participation, stage a contest or offer a small incentive. If customers aren't into making videos, ask if you could shoot a brief interview where they answer a few simple questions about their experiences with you. You'll be surprised at how many customers are eager to be part of your marketing campaign. 6. Try to go viral. This is the ultimate goal. The more views your video gets, the more awareness, the more leads, and the more revenue for your business. But creating a video that goes viral isn't easy. Viral videos fall into three categories: funny, heart-warming, or shocking. They revolve around situations featuring kids, animals, or mishaps. Find out what videos are going viral, and study them to find out why. Create a response piece if you can make it relevant to your business. Response videos often go viral too. Focus on coming up with something unique and, above all, entertaining. But don't let your wild viral idea undercut the business image you're striving to create. Video marketing is a powerful strategy that any business can afford. Just take advantage of the low-cost tools available, and think of things your target audience would like to see or find out about. Here's to your continued success creating videos that sell, and maybe even go viral, as you keep putting together your best year ever... Enjoy a great month!

7 home upgrades with the best financial return – PLUS 8 home health hazards to guard against

These are the home improvements experts say will return more of their cost when you sell: 1. New exterior siding. Upscale fiber cement siding pays back an average 78% of its cost. Foam-backed insulated vinyl siding and standard vinyl siding pay back almost 70% of their cost. 2. New entry door. A midrange 20-gauge steel door pays back 73% of its cost and boosts curb appeal. 3. Attic bedroom. Pop out a dormer, add a 5' X 7' bathroom with shower, insulate and finish walls and ceiling, and bring in heat, a/c, and wiring. You'll get almost 73% back on your money and an attic remodel is the least expensive way to add living space and a bathroom. 4. A simple kitchen remodel. Keep this under $20,000 and you'll get back an average 72% of your investment. Include upgrades like new sinks, faucets, appliances, and laminate countertops. Keep the floor but reface the cabinets with new hardware. 5. New garage door(s). Believe it or not, garage door replacements pay back over 71% of their cost if you install a midrange or high-end product. They also instantly up your curb appeal. 6. New wood deck. This earns back over 70% of its cost at resale. 7. Upscale vinyl replacement windows. Change out your old windows with ones with low-emissivity glass and insulation and you'll enjoy a payback of over 69% of the cost. 8 HEALTH HAZARDS TO AVOID IN YOUR HOME 1. Bed linens. These can hold germs, grime, and allergens. Wash at least once a week using the hottest washer and dryer settings. It takes extreme heat to kill most bacteria. 2. Pet toys. These can be a source of staph, as well as coliforms, yeast, and mold. Hard toys should be cleaned once a month with hot soapy water, rinsed, disinfected with a mild bleach solution, then rinsed again. Sanitize soft toys with laundry on the hot water cycle. 3. Refrigerator ice and water dispensers. A recent study found these can be loaded with yeast and mold. Clean the ice dispenser monthly. Turn off and wash the bin with dish detergent and warm water, then dry with a clean towel. Every six months, pour 3-4 cups of distilled white vinegar into the water supply tube and let it run through to sanitize. Wipe water spout once a week with cotton swab and a dry cloth. 4. HVAC ducts. In a year, a 1500 square foot home's ducktwork can collect 40 pounds of dust containing allergens, bacteria, dirt, fungi, mold, and about 40,000 dust mites per ounce. When you turn on the system, all this circulates, causing fatigue, sinus problems, and asthma. Have a NADCA-certified company clean ducts every 2 years. 5. Sponges. Unless disinfected, a sponge is a prime place for germs to grow, and then spread around the kitchen. Clean a nonmetallic sponge by completely wetting it and placing it in the microwave on high for 2 minutes. Throw out sponges after two weeks. Better options are towels, dishcloths, and rags you can sanitize with bleach in your washing machine's hot water cycle. 6. Ceiling fan blades. These are home to dust mites which the fan then circulates. Put a pillowcase on each blade and pull it off while wiping the dust into it. Empty it outside, and then launder the case inside out on your hottest washer and dryer settings. 7. The dishwasher. Mold can form here when moisture lingers after the heat cycle ends. Run your dishwasher only when you can empty it soon after it stops. 8. The washing machine. Mold and staph can grow here. Once a month, use the self-clean cycle or put a cup of bleach in an empty machine and run on the hottest setting. Leave the door or lid open when not in use. When you're ready to upgrade, downsize, or buy your first home, we can help you with the financing. We're happy to answer any questions, as soon as you're ready to take advantage of the opportunities in today's housing market. We can also help with refinancing your current home or funding home improvements. Please call or email us any time. We're always here for you... Have a great day! P.S. Mortgage rates are still at historically attractive levels. When buying or refinancing, it's smart to start the process early. Please call or email us to explore the appealing options available now.

10 Secrets to Crafting Perfect Email Subject Lines

Despite all the hype about social media, a recent report revealed email is nearly 40 times more effective at getting business than Facebook and Twitter combined! The problem is, another study found the average person gets more than 70 emails a day. So even though email can be highly effective, you have to make sure your subject line stands out from the pack. Here's how to create the kind of perfect email subject lines that will boost your open rate. 1. Shorter is sweeter. Studies show shorter subject lines get higher open rates. Lines with less than 10 characters have the highest open rate, but that's pretty short. Go for a 40 character maximum. Short lines also appear as one line on smaller devices. 2. Cut to the chase. Use the subject line to tell readers the benefit they'll get by reading your message. Tell them how their lives will improve by opening your email. 3.Put in a call to action (CTA). CTAs such as; "call" you, "click to visit" a site, or just "read" the email, tell the reader what to do to get the benefit you're talking about. 4. Get the reader to act now. Add a deadline if you can: "Get 50% off until June 15." The longer an email sits unopened, the more likely the recipient will trash it. So adding a time limit helps to increase your open rate. 5. Check each word. Make sure every word in the subject line is providing information or motivating readers to open the email. Look on the Internet for sites that list spam trigger words. Cut them out where you can to avoid being caught in a spam filter. Click here for a list of trigger words. 6. Be clear. Quick and direct beat cute or witty every time. Tell readers exactly what your message is about: "Cut your time for that XYZ task in half." 7. Play the numbers game. "5 Ways to Save on Car Insurance" is a lot more enticing a subject line than "How to Save on Car Insurance." Readers want to learn the five ways. Just be sure to use numerals to cut down your character count. 8. Tailor your messages. If you can, segment your email list and tailor your emails to highlight specific needs or interests. This will help you create subject lines that are more interesting for each segment of your audience. For example: "3 ways to simplify your record keeping," or "Taking care of the yard just got easier." 9. Put in your name or company name. Readers tend to open an email when they know who it's from. If you have a good relationship with them, they already see value in you and your organization. 10. Use your own experience. You get emails every day too. Use this experience to your advantage. Which subject lines did you notice? How did you choose which emails to trash and which to open? Another research study says knowledge workers spend around 28% of the day managing emails. The challenge is to make sure your email is one of the ones they pick to read. Here's to your continued success crafting emails that get opened, as you keep putting together your best year ever.... Enjoy a great month!

Market Update

QUOTE OF THE WEEK... "We are happy when we are growing." --William Butler Yeats, Irish poet INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE... We were all very happy to see that Pending Home Sales grew for the second month in a row, up 0.4% in April. This National Association of Realtors (NAR) measure of contracts signed on existing homes indicates continued growth for these sales when contracts go to closing a couple of months out. The NAR's chief economist sees a gradual gain in sales: "Higher inventory levels are giving buyers more choices, and a slight decline in mortgage interest rates this spring is raising prospective home buyers' confidence. An uptrend in closed sales is expected." The NAR further projected that annual existing home sales should come in slightly below the almost 5.1 million closings we had in 2013, but then should hit nearly 5.3 million next year. The national median price for existing homes is expected to increase 5% to 6% this year and 4% to 5% in 2015. The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Home Price Index continued rising in March, but at a slower 0.9% pace. However, the index is up 12.6% versus a year ago, and 19 of the 20 cities reported monthly gains. Most observers feel a moderation in price gains is healthy for the housing market. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK... Document your wins to help you duplicate your efforts and cut your prospecting time. Likewise, analyze your losses to fine tune your message and presentation. >> Review of Last Week THE MERRY MERRY MONTH OF MAY... For those who make their living on Wall Street, May certainly was as merry a month as the Stephen Foster song purports. All three major stock indexes ended ahead for the month, with the Dow and the S&P 500 setting new records, while the Nasdaq posted its first monthly gain in three months. Bonds also did well for the week, which had stock traders a bit bemused, since bonds are the safety play when things seem uncertain. The economic reports for the week were mixed as usual, so it is hard for folks to be certain the economy will continue to recover without any hiccups. Last week's hiccup came when the GDP–2nd Estimate for Q1 showed the economy contracted –1.0%, the first negative reading since Q1 2011. Many economists put this poor showing to the severe winter weather in much of the country and most investors bought that. Positive feelings were supported when Initial Unemployment Claims fell to 300,000 for the week and Continuing Claims to 2.631 million. The Chicago PMI showed Midwest manufacturing stronger than expected, while Consumer Confidence and Michigan Consumer Sentiment also beat estimates. But consumer Personal Spending was down for April. The week ended with the Dow up 0.7%, to 16717; the S&P 500 up 1.2%, to 1924; and the Nasdaq up 1.4%, to 4243. The short trading week saw bonds dip at the start, but buying picked up at the end, pushing prices up and yields down. The 30YR FNMA 4.0% bond we watch finished the week up .10, at $105.29. After 5 straight weeks of declines, average fixed mortgage rates hit a nine-month low in Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ending May 29. That's good news for a housing market bounding back from a slow winter. Remember, mortgage rates can be extremely volatile, so check with your mortgage professional for up to the minute information. DID YOU KNOW?... Over the past three months, private sector wages and salaries have gone up at an accelerated 5.5% annual rate. Some economists expect incomes to keep growing at a healthy clip. >> This Week’s Forecast FACTORY AND SERVICE SECTORS GROW, JOBS HANG IN... Stocks did well in May, but the economic picture won't be quite as good. The ISM Index of manufacturing activity and the ISM Services index are expected to show growth, though not at any faster rate. Friday's May Employment Report should have fewer new Nonfarm Payrolls than April, but still above 200,000 jobs. This is predicted to nudge the Unemployment Rate back up a tick. It will also be worth looking at the Fed's Beige Book, which comments on the economic conditions in the twelve Federal Reserve Districts around the country.

The homeowner's 15-point money saving checklist – PLUS the pros and cons of 6 different driveways

Fifteen things you can do to reduce energy and maintenance costs: 1. Turn down the hot water heater to 120°F. It's a waste of energy to heat water hotter than most people can stand. 2. Get a water heater blanket. Many older water heaters and even fairly new ones aren't well insulated. A water heater blanket saves money by keeping the heat in. 3. Wrap insulation around exposed hot water pipes. Good quality pipe insulation makes the water 2° to 4° warmer and delivers it quicker. The first three feet leaving the heater and the last few feet coming back are key. 4. Check for running toilets, leaky faucets and under sink plumbing. They cost you money and lead to mold. 5. Check attic insulation. If you have an unfinished attic, have at least 6" of insulation, (more in the northern U.S.). 6. Put in a programmable thermostat. This automatically adjusts temperature, so you only pay for heating or cooling the house when you're actively using it. 7. Install ceiling fans. Their air circulation effect lets you put your thermostat 1° or 2° higher in summer and 1° or 2° lower in winter. Set to blow air down in summer and up in winter. 8. Replace the air handling filter. This is behind a slotted panel in the air handler. Note the size and stock up. A dirty filter makes the system work harder. Check every two months. 9. Clear all air vents. Make sure vents aren't blocked and look in to see they're dust bunny free. 10. Air-dry some laundry. Put up a rack in the laundry room or a clothesline outside. Air-dry a third of your laundry and you're running the dryer a third less of the time. 11. Choose reliable, energy efficient appliances. Paying a little extra for quality and reliability will save you lots over the long haul. 12. Seal out air. Air leaks are money leaks. Look for them around windows and doors, and then seal them up. 13. Monitor foundation cracks. If you have cracks in basement walls, cover the ends with masking tape with the date. If the cracks grow, call in a specialist. Foundation problems are way cheaper to fix sooner than later. 14. Plant shade trees near your home. They cool the house in summer, saving money on air conditioning, and add value to the property. 15. Write down a home maintenance checklist. Include tasks you should do monthly, quarterly, and annually. Review each month. You'll save tons of money over time. 6 WAYS TO DRIVEWAYS 1. Gravel. Loose stones come in different sizes and colors, make the least expensive surface, and allow water to drain into the soil. Water runoff, traffic, and plowing will move it around, so it may need annual touch ups. 2. Tar & Gravel. Also called surface treatment or double shot, this looks like gravel but the tar helps hold it in place. You need new stone every 7 to 10 years to keep the gravel color. 3. Asphalt. This is the least expensive solid surface driveway and great for kids to play on. But you have to re-seal it every few years, especially in northern climates, to keep water from getting into crevices and freezing. 4. Concrete. This needs less maintenance than asphalt and offers interesting options. The least expensive is installed as slabs with expansion joints to minimize cracking. Exposed aggregate concrete costs more and features a rough gravel surface. Decorative concrete comes in many different colors and stamped patterns and costs the most. 5. Concrete pavers. There are many styles and colors, from bricks to squares to octagonal patterns. The cost is similar to decorative concrete but individual pavers are easily repaired. 6. Natural stone. Cobblestones, Belgian blocks, and slate paving are beautiful, but expensive. If you're looking to drive up to your first home, a larger one, or a downsize, we can help you with the financing. We're happy to answer any questions, whenever you're ready to take advantage of the opportunities in today's housing market. We can also help with refinancing your current home or funding home improvements. Please call or email us any time. We're always here for you... Have a great day! P.S.: Mortgage rates remain at historically attractive levels. When buying or refinancing, it's smart to start the process early. Please call or email us to explore the appealing options available now.

Market Update

QUOTE OF THE WEEK... "The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it." --Arnold H. Glasow, American humorist INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE... It's taken a bit of patience to see Pending Home Sales go up after months of stagnant activity. But go up it did in March. The Pending Home Sales index of contract signings shot up 3.4% for the month, its first gain in the last nine months. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) chief economist explained: "After a dismal winter, more buyers got an opportunity to look at homes last month and are beginning to make contract offers." Looking ahead, the NAR economist was upbeat: "Sales activity is expected to steadily pick up as more inventory reaches the market, and from ongoing job creation in the economy." Some of that added inventory could be from sellers coming off the sidelines as home prices continue to recover. The Case-Shiller/S&P 500 index of home prices in 20 key metros went up 0.8% in February (seasonally-adjusted). This widely followed reading shows prices up 12.9% in the past year. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK... Experts say if you tend to get nervous before a presentation, rehearse it as much as you can. Practicing in front of a mirror builds confidence and helps you put more flow into your delivery. >> Review of Last Week GOOD ECONOMICS, BAD GEOPOLITICS... It was another one of those paradoxical weeks where investors had to react to things going in both directions. Biggest of the economic uppers was the April jobs report, coming in with a way better than expected 288,000 new payrolls, the biggest gain in two years. But geopolitics sent stocks down, as the Ukraine crisis made Wall Streeters nervous. Although suffering a down day Friday, all three major market indexes finished ahead for the week. The Unemployment Rate dropped to 6.3%, but this positive was actually a negative, caused by a record 806,000 people leaving the labor force in April. Also a downer was the Preliminary GDP reading for Q1, which showed the economy growing at a barely perceptible 0.1% rate. But ISM Manufacturing and Pending Home Sales bested expectations, while Personal Spending came in with its strongest reading since 2009, up 0.5% for the month. This shows that consumers are continuing to drive the 70% of the economy they support. The week ended with the Dow up 0.9%, to 16513; the S&P 500 up 1.0%, to 1881; and the Nasdaq up 1.2%, to 4124. Worries over Ukraine were strong enough to rally bonds, in spite of the surprising April jobs report and the Fed trimming its monthly bond purchases another $10 billion on Wednesday. The FNMA 4.0% bond we watch finished the week up .86, at $105.03. National average fixed mortgage rates dipped back down in Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ending May 1. This followed the release of the disappointing Q1 GDP number. Remember, mortgage rates can be extremely volatile, so check with your mortgage professional for up to the minute information. DID YOU KNOW?... Overall private residential construction spending in Q1 was up 16.7% over a year ago. Single-family private construction spending in March was up 13.2% (seasonally adjusted) versus last year. >> This Week’s Forecast SERVICE SECTOR GROWING, PRODUCTIVITY AND TRADE DEFICIT SHRINKING... A quiet week as far as economic reports go, with the familiar good news, bad news theme. ISM Services should show continued expansion in April in the sector of the economy that creates the most jobs. But the Trade Balance is projected to be a bit bigger in March and the Preliminary Productivity reading for Q1 is forecast to shrink, which is bad news for that measure.

8 Ways to Speed Up Your Blog Writing

Do you find writing a new blog post a time-consuming and maybe even painful experience? Here are 8 tips from people who write for a living on how to get the word out a lot more quickly, with a lot less trouble. 1. Think first. It's been said that writing is thinking. So if you're having trouble getting the words down, stop and check your thinking. Go through in your mind exactly what it is you want to say. If your ideas are clear to you, the words will come out more easily, and your writing will begin to flow again. 2. Don't procrastinate. A famous author once said, "My best friend is my desk and my biggest enemy is my couch." When it's time to get a new piece out, don't suddenly come up with other things that demand your attention, or decide that you first need a moment to relax on that sofa. Boot up the computer or go old school and pick up a pencil and pad. Either way, just sit down and write. 3. KISS to grab readers. KISS stands for Keep It Short and Simple. When it comes to blog posts, that's the key to getting readers. Break up your writing with headers and bullets. Remember that busy readers will be skimming for key points. Make 500 words your absolute maximum. 4. ABC: Always Be Clear. Business writing is never about showing how big your vocabulary is or how artfully you can craft a sentence. You want to express your ideas clearly and quickly get to the point. The reader should instantly understand what you're saying, without needing a long explanation. 5. Don't try to be perfect. Going for perfection is a great way to get nowhere. Instead, just focus on writing clearly and letting a little of your natural personality come through. Once you're there, stop. 6. If you get stuck, try "automatic writing." When the words simply aren't coming, just start putting down whatever comes to mind. Don't worry about how the sentences are structured, or how well the ideas flow. Just write freely, which is known as "automatic writing." When you've run out of things to say, go back and edit. Try to get everything working from your main point, which may be one you've come up with during this free writing exercise. 7. Try this simple structure for your post. Here's a formula for getting a point across that's been attributed to the U.S. Marines and has been used by countless business presenters: Tell them what you're going to tell them Tell it to them Tell them what you told them You can use this outline over and over for lots of topics. 8. Don't worry about selling. Your business blog post is obviously targeted to customers and prospects. But that doesn't mean it always has to be about something that might retain a customer or make a sale. Focus your blog writing less on promoting your business and more on sharing something interesting with your readers. Talk about how your business does business, things you've observed, or insights you can offer. The more blog posts you post, the better for your business. Keep working at it. Like anything else, the more you write, the better you'll get at it, and the faster you'll produce the piece. Here's to your continued success in blogs and in person, as you keep putting together your best year ever... Enjoy a great month!

Market Update

QUOTE OF THE WEEK... "Appearances are often deceiving." --Aesop, Ancient Greek storyteller INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE... To some pundits and the mainstream media, March Housing Starts appeared disappointing: up a tepid 2.8% for the month and down 5.9% versus a year ago. But a closer examination of the report shows those headline numbers are deceiving. The low monthly number was all due to a drop in always volatile multi-family starts. Single family starts were up a strong 6.0% in March and are up 9.1% over the last two months. The 5-month moving average is the highest since July 2008. Plus, the number of homes under construction (started but not finished) is up 21% over a year ago! Reflecting this activity, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) April confidence index was up one point from March. Some analysts expect steady gains here, as the spring selling season picks up steam. We also saw construction employment, on the increase since June 2011, up 2.6% year over year in February. More evidence of a spring pickup came when the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported March listings on realtor.com were up 9.5% from a year ago. In addition to better selection, buyers get more time to decide. The median age of inventory was 102 days. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK... Stop doing so much! Look for ways to cut busy work. Group small tasks and do them during down time. Or outsource peripheral chores at a cost that's less than what you make working on your core business. Review of Last Week UP!... In the real world, what goes up must come down. On Wall Street, what goes down must come back up. So after the prior week's miserable performance, stocks last week shot up strongly. The S&P 500, in fact, enjoyed its best weekly gain since July 2013. Part of the investor optimism came from the EU, Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine making new efforts to resolve their differences. There was also some worthwhile economic data. Initial and continuing jobless claims both topped forecasts, while the Philly Fed manufacturing index almost doubled estimates. The rest of the reports were mixed. Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization bested expectations, while Retail Sales grew nicely in March. But Business Inventories and NY Empire Manufacturing disappointed, and Housing Starts and Building Permits were not as strong as forecast. The Fed Beige Book of observations from around the U.S. posited that "economic activity increased in most regions of the country since the previous report." Nonetheless, Fed Chair Janet Yellen told The Economic Club of New York that the central bank remains committed to an accommodative policy, meaning super low rates. The week ended with the Dow up 2.4%, to 16409; the S&P 500 up 2.7%, to 1865; and the Nasdaq up 2.4%, to 4096. There was heavy selling of Treasuries, and bonds in general suffered as both the U.S. economy and the Ukraine crisis showed signs of improvement. The FNMA 4.0% bond we watch finished the week down .05, at $104.15. Yet national average fixed mortgage rates fell for the second straight week and hit a six-week low in Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ended April 10. This of course helps affordability in the spring selling season. Remember, mortgage rates can be extremely volatile, so check with your mortgage professional for up to the minute information. DID YOU KNOW?... Rents are considered affordable when monthly rent and utilities are under 30% of household income. Harvard reported earlier this year that more than half of all U.S. renters have unaffordable housing situations. This Week’s Forecast UP, DOWN, AND SIDEWAYS... This week's economic data is expected to head in all three directions. March Leading Economic Indicators and New Home Sales should trend upward. Existing Home Sales for March and the Michigan Consumer Sentiment - Final read for April are both predicted to remain the same. But March Durable Goods Orders are expected down a bit. Initial and Continuing Unemployment Claims are forecast up, though that's a downward trend in jobs.

11 tactics to protect your home from burglary - PLUS 5 health benefits to - of all things - chocolate!

A home burglary occurs in the U.S. every 13 seconds and only one in four burglars are ever caught. Here's how to keep the bad guys away. 1. Replace all exterior locks with deadbolts. Locks only provide security if you know who has every key. When you move into a new home, hire a reputable locksmith to install new deadbolts. Deadbolt locks can't be opened without a key. Bored-in deadlocks embedded into the door are even harder to break through. Spend a few dollars more for good locks and you could save thousands. 2. Eliminate exposed door hinges. Burglars can take out the pin on exposed hinges and walk right in. Re-hang the door with hinges inside. 3. Install peepholes and motion sensor lights. Always know who's at the door before you open it. Sensor lights also illuminate the path to your entrance when you come home in the evening. 4. Remove hidden keys. One out of 3 break-ins happen with no forced entry. If you're hiding a key under a mat, in a fake rock, or anywhere else, remove it. If you worry about losing keys, install a deadbolt with a keypad. 5. Put lamps on timers. Install timers throughout your house and set them for random times - don't have them all go on at 6:30 and off at 11. Most burglaries occur from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so set some lights to turn on during the day if the house is empty then. 6. Install window locks or pins. These discourage burglars who don't want to make noise by breaking glass. Use the same brand of lock for all windows, so they're easy to set. If they use a key pin, keep it in a secure but accessible location in case of fire. 7. Trim trees and shrubs near windows. These can hide a burglar at work. 8. Don't make it obvious no one's home. When you go out, turn telephone and answering machine volumes down. Don't leave notes for family or friends on the door or mailbox. If you'll be gone a while, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail, or have the post office stop delivery until you get back. 9. Don't leave ladders and tools lying around the yard. Impulse burglars can use them to gain access. 10. Destroy new TV and computer boxes. Don't let the world know you've just bought something of value. 11. Install an alarm system. Choose a local alarm or a monitored system. Local alarms make noise to scare off intruders. A monitored system makes noise too, but it also sends an emergency signal to a monitoring center that immediately alerts the police. There are installation costs and a monthly charge for the monitored system, although it may get you a discount on your homeowner's insurance. CHECK OUT THAT HEALTHY CHOCOLATE! A popular health magazine reports: 1. Chocolate reduces chances of heart disease and stroke. A recent study found that people consuming the highest levels of chocolate had a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in stroke compared to those with lower chocolate intakes. 2. Chocolate may help you in math. Flavonols in chocolate are thought to improve blood flow to the brain. One study reported participants could do calculations faster and more accurately after drinking hot cocoa. 3. Chocolate makes you feel good. Chocolate contains phenethylamine, which triggers the release of endorphins, a reaction similar to the one people experience when they fall in love. 4. Chocolate relaxes you. Studies have shown chocolate contains the compound anandamide, which activates the brain receptors for relaxation. 5. Chocolate may help you live longer. One study found that participants who ate candy one to three times a month had the lowest mortality rates of the group. If you're buying your first home, moving up, or downsizing, we can help you with the financing. We're happy to answer your questions, whenever you're ready to take advantage of today's attractive housing market. We can also help with refinancing your existing home or funding home improvements. Please call or email us any time. We're always here for you.... Have a great day! P.S.: Mortgage rates remain at historically attractive levels. When buying or refinancing, it's smart to start the process early. Please call or email us to explore the appealing options available now.

5 surprising benefits a budget delivers - PLUS 6 healthy resolutions that are super easy to keep

Who wants to budget? Nobody! No one likes taking a good hard look at the money going out versus the money coming in. When expenses run up, people just add to their credit card balances and ignore the high interest. But using a budget does lots more than cut credit card interest. Surprisingly, a budget helps you: 1. Meet all your financial needs. A budget lets you fine tune spending to meet all needs: short-term (monthly bills and groceries); mid-term (that summer vacation); and long-term (home down payment, college, retirement). A budget shows the expenses you can't avoid (utility bills) and those you can postpone (another dinner out), so you can cut short-term spending to meet long-term goals. 2. Cut waste. Let's say your budget shows you spend $800 a month on food. But that includes coffee on the way to work, soda from a vending machine, and a sports drink at the gym. Over the month, this adds up to a big chunk. You can cut 75% of it with coffee from home, soda and sports drinks from the supermarket, and a refillable water bottle. Without a budget, you don't know what you're spending, so you can't find the waste. 3. Hit goals. To reach a financial goal: 1) set a time frame: "I'm going to save $_____ for a home down payment by the end of 2015; 2) write down the steps to get there: "I'll double my savings every month." But you need a budget to "find" that extra money (maybe those beverage savings?). A budget also keeps you motivated – you won't mind cutting out some movies if it means a nicer summer vacation. 4. Spend smarter. If your budget shows you spend more than you earn, it can also reveal ways to spend smarter. If your budget shows you earn more than you spend, you can then figure out the smartest way to spend, save, or invest the excess. Without a budget, you can't be sure about that surplus, so the extra money goes to mindless purchases. 5. Be prepared. You want to set money aside for unexpected medical expenses or repairs. These funds can also pay the bills if you're injured, sick, or laid off. A budget will help you set aside something each month to build an emergency fund to cover 3 months' expenses. If this gets hit, the budget can help you shift spending to build your emergency fund back up. HEALTHY RESOLUTIONS YOU CAN ACTUALLY KEEP 1. Get more sleep. Committing to 8 hours a night is an effortless way to feel healthy. Researchers report sleeping burns fat, decreases stress, and boosts your immune system, mood, and alertness. 2. Spend time outside. Get some fresh air every day. Experts say being outdoors relaxes the mind. Take a walk before work or at lunch. Find a spot you like in your yard or a park and spend some time there. 3. Stop staring at screens. Turn off the TV, tablet, computer, and smart phone, and start enjoying the moment. Research shows kids glued to computers, TVs, and video games risk obesity, sleep disorders, and emotional and focus problems. Some experts say the same is true for adults. 4. Stop multitasking. Instead, pay attention to the most important thing you're doing, whether it's eating, working, or listening to the other person. Research shows people who focus on what they do, weigh less, stress less, and smile more. 5. Add to your diet. Instead of taking away sugar or fat, add something good to your diet – a serving of vegetables to your dinner or some protein to a snack. Drink 2 extra glasses of water a day. Healthy additions leave less room for unhealthy things. 6. Take a deep breath. Most people take shallow breaths. This limits oxygen intake and Harvard's Family Health Guide says that leads to increased anxiety and higher blood pressure. Take a moment and inhale deeply, expand your chest, lift your ribcage. Then slowly exhale. The healthy approach to buying a home starts with the financing. We can answer any questions, whenever you're ready to take advantage of today's attractive housing market. We can also help with refinancing your existing home or funding home improvements. Please call or email us any time. We're always here for you.... Have a great day! P.S.: In today's market, mortgage rates are volatile, but remain at historically attractive levels. When buying or refinancing, it's smart to start the process early. Please call or email us to explore the appealing options available now.

Inside Lending Newsletter

QUOTE OF THE WEEK... "High expectations are the key to everything." --Sam Walton, founder of Walmart INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE... We all have high expectations for the housing market and it seems they're being fulfilled. Real estate analytics firm CoreLogic reported home prices rose in 2013 at the fastest annual pace since 2005. In December, their Home Price Index was up 11% on an annual basis, the 22nd month in a row of year-over-year home price increases. Their CEO added: "The healthy and broad-based gains in home prices in 2013 help set the stage for the continued recovery in the housing sector in 2014. After six years of fits and starts, we can now see a clearer path to a durable recovery in single-family residential housing across most of the U.S." Also looking at 2014, a national real estate listing site estimates that home values will rise 4.8% overall through December 2014, although their analysts note that local market trends are expected to differ. The site's chief economist elaborated: "...we expect more homes to be available this year, as more sellers enter the market and more homes get built, and a decline in investor competition should make for a more hospitable market for many buyers." Even more optimistic, Standard & Poor's 2014 housing outlook forecasts a 6% rise in the S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK... What you give is what you get. Successful networking goes two ways. Give your contacts more referrals and they'll give you more referrals back. Review of Last Week DOWNBEAT JOBS, UPBEAT MARKETS... Wall Street investors took a disappointing jobs report in stride and finished the week with a two-day rally. The modest moves up broke a two-week losing streak for the Dow and a three-week dive for the S&P 500, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq enjoyed another upbeat week. Basically, investors ignored January's disappointing gain of 113,000 jobs and looked to the more encouraging parts of the report. Chief among these was the dip in the unemployment rate to 6.6%, the lowest since October 2008, and this drop happened with more people joining the labor force. Some observers also noted that throughout the recovery, we've had strong months and weak months, yet over the last 47 months, we've averaged more than 150,000 jobs a month. This is not the level we need, but at least it's moving in the correct direction. The remaining data was mixed. The ISM Index showed manufacturing grew less than expected in January, while the December Trade Balance grew a little more. On the good side, ISM Services showed that sector growing stronger than expected and the preliminary Q4 Productivity reading also handily beat forecasts. The week ended with the Dow up 0.6%, to 15794; the S&P 500 up 0.8%, to 1797; and the Nasdaq up 0.5%, to 4126. Bond market performance was mixed, even after the employment report came in way weaker than expected. Some Treasuries enjoyed an uptick, but the FNMA 3.5% bond we watch finished the week down .01, to $101.17. National average fixed mortgage rates dropped for the fifth straight week, according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ending February 6. Their chief economist put it to the lackluster economic data. Remember, mortgage rates can be extremely volatile, so check with your mortgage professional for up to the minute information. DID YOU KNOW?... Industry researchers report that total U.S. visits to real estate websites were up 25% from December to January, to 364.4 million. This Weeks Forecast RETAIL FLAT POST-HOLIDAYS, FACTORY PRODUCTION UP, CONSUMERS HANG IN...This week's key economic report is January Retail Sales on Thursday. After the holidays, sales are forecast to come in flat overall, although up a tad if volatile automotive sales are excluded. Industrial Production is also predicted up a bit in January. We hope to see weekly Initial Unemployment Claims continuing to drop whileUniversity of Michigan Consumer Sentiment pretty much hangs in there.